For those that don't carry a spot,inreach or sat phone why not?

[Modman]

Thanks! Was looking at the inReach Mini and explorer plus. Also looked at the monthly plans. On the basic plan, are you billed $0.10 for receiving text messages as well?

For those that have the explorer plus, what are your thoughts on the tops maps?

As noted by Dan, yes on the billing to receive texts, but that can easily be avoided. Sorry, I haven't gone through all the thread but one of the nice features of the inReach is the ability to ping your location remotely, which is unlimited on the recreation plan and really inexpensive on the other plan. Someone can log into the website on a computer and check your location without sending a text. I've had inReach for a while, but I pay $25 a month for the recreation plan (same features as was posted in the picture but I just have a cheaper rate beuz I was in before they raised them) << That being said I would pay $35 a month for mine - no hesitation.

I've got mine tethered to my phone and it stays in pocket. I pull out my phone and touch the app, and literally in seconds I text right from my phone through the app, just like sending a regular text message. You can send the location with the text or just the text itself. I look at the map on my phone etc. The only time I actually touch my Garmin is to turn it on and off at the beginning and end of the day. I use mine year round, including on road trips when I can't get cell service so I just keep it active. The topo maps are pretty good IMO. As with any topo map, they lack the finite detail to truly make them 100% user friendly but that just goes with the territory.

For anyone concerned about the cost for a single trip or only couple times annually, I suggest looking around, as some places may rent these. I'm pretty sure Wicom in Calgary rents units (i know they rent sat phones). Also talk to GPS central. Another thing to consider is gathering your closest riding friends (typically folks generally ride with the same crowd) and split the cost amongst 3 or 4 people.

From someone who's been there, honestly they can truly be a life saver and I encourage anyone to use one. A medical emergency on the hill in our group while we were back in some very technical terrain required extraction. The ability to text the level of emergency and receive communication back about any rescue or assistance is amazingly important in a bad situation, especially for onsite folks to keep a level head and be psychologically re-assured help is on the way. Literally - minutes can save your life. I'm very fortunate my company requires me to have additional medical training at their cost, but consider even if you only had a knowledge of basic first aid, EMS or dispatch could also relay you critical advice if you didnt have the training or knowledge to do something (stabilize a fracture, dress a wound, monitor and report vital signs, look for signs of a stroke/anaphylactic reaction etc).

Honestly, I have also been considering an AED for a couple years, but they were too large to carry. Now that the Phillips FRx is small enough, I'm thinking its next on the list. I'll happily pay the minimal weight penalty if it saves someones life. I feel that strongly about it. Ride safe folks.

 

[Grinder]

Thanks! Was looking at the inReach Mini and explorer plus. Also looked at the monthly plans. On the basic plan, are you billed $0.10 for receiving text messages as well?

For those that have the explorer plus, what are your thoughts on the tops maps?

The mini is what i have

 

[Grinder]

Fired up the spot X today. Can send messages from inside my house if by a window.

14 preset customized messages.

$20CDN a month. Only pay for the months you use it.

Not half bad.

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Keep an eye on the bill month to month. I had a spot and it went from 22 a month to when i ended it 42. I backtracked and it went up a few cents every month. Wasnt realy paying attention.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

As noted by Dan, yes on the billing to receive texts, but that can easily be avoided. Sorry, I haven't gone through all the thread but one of the nice features of the inReach is the ability to ping your location remotely, which is unlimited on the recreation plan and really inexpensive on the other plan. Someone can log into the website on a computer and check your location without sending a text. I've had inReach for a while, but I pay $25 a month for the recreation plan (same features as was posted in the picture but I just have a cheaper rate beuz I was in before they raised them) << That being said I would pay $35 a month for mine - no hesitation.

I've got mine tethered to my phone and it stays in pocket. I pull out my phone and touch the app, and literally in seconds I text right from my phone through the app, just like sending a regular text message. You can send the location with the text or just the text itself. I look at the map on my phone etc. The only time I actually touch my Garmin is to turn it on and off at the beginning and end of the day. I use mine year round, including on road trips when I can't get cell service so I just keep it active. The topo maps are pretty good IMO. As with any topo map, they lack the finite detail to truly make them 100% user friendly but that just goes with the territory.

For anyone concerned about the cost for a single trip or only couple times annually, I suggest looking around, as some places may rent these. I'm pretty sure Wicom in Calgary rents units (i know they rent sat phones). Also talk to GPS central. Another thing to consider is gathering your closest riding friends (typically folks generally ride with the same crowd) and split the cost amongst 3 or 4 people.

From someone who's been there, honestly they can truly be a life saver and I encourage anyone to use one. A medical emergency on the hill in our group while we were back in some very technical terrain required extraction. The ability to text the level of emergency and receive communication back about any rescue or assistance is amazingly important in a bad situation, especially for onsite folks to keep a level head and be psychologically re-assured help is on the way. Literally - minutes can save your life. I'm very fortunate my company requires me to have additional medical training at their cost, but consider even if you only had a knowledge of basic first aid, EMS or dispatch could also relay you critical advice if you didnt have the training or knowledge to do something (stabilize a fracture, dress a wound, monitor and report vital signs, look for signs of a stroke/anaphylactic reaction etc).

Honestly, I have also been considering an AED for a couple years, but they were too large to carry. Now that the Phillips FRx is small enough, I'm thinking its next on the list. I'll happily pay the minimal weight penalty if it saves someones life. I feel that strongly about it. Ride safe folks.

I don't carry my phone just use the spot. I love the tops map, especially for hunting and figuring out where drainages ste when sledding. Distance between two points might be the shortest but isn't always the fastest

 

[skegpro]

Keep an eye on the bill month to month. I had a spot and it went from 22 a month to when i ended it 42. I backtracked and it went up a few cents every month. Wasnt realy paying attention.

Yeah unfortunately these companies have billion dollar sat infrastructure and they have bills to pay too.

I think both companies have a much stronger subscription base than they did 10years ago, so hopefully we will see more stable prices.

"All prices are subject to change. inReach devices require satellite subscription activation to access the Iridium satellite network for live tracking and messaging functions, including SOS."

 

[skegpro]

Thanks! Was looking at the inReach Mini and explorer plus. Also looked at the monthly plans. On the basic plan, are you billed $0.10 for receiving text messages as well?

For those that have the explorer plus, what are your thoughts on the tops maps?

I always add the backcountry road maps to my Garmin devices. Way more detail for what we are doing.

 

[skegpro]

My pre-set messages (inReach) are:
1. Starting my trip now..............staging area is located on the map and contacts know the area that I am riding.
2. We will be delayed but we are okay.................contacts know that this is maybe an out of gas situation, a mechanical problem, could be medical, or whatever but we do not need help.
3. Back at the truck and on the way home...........the day has ended and all is well.

The contacts have been pre-versed in the intent of the messages and I will use them before sending the SOS. A personal message will be sent, if and when we need help and that will include a map location of where the message was sent from.

Good ideas.

I copied you.

Another cool thing a guy can do is in one of the predefined texts is setup a web link to a page where anyone can track you in realtime.

 

[skegpro]

I guess I should make one with my radio frequency and sat phone number.

 

[NoBrakes!]

Ok, hooked up my inreach and started pairing and sorting out all the details. My device needs an update and sync, do I need a cord for this or does it work through the satellite link?

 

[fnDan]

As noted by Dan, yes on the billing to receive texts, but that can easily be avoided. Sorry, I haven't gone through all the thread but one of the nice features of the inReach is the ability to ping your location remotely, which is unlimited on the recreation plan and really inexpensive on the other plan. Someone can log into the website on a computer and check your location without sending a text. I've had inReach for a while, but I pay $25 a month for the recreation plan (same features as was posted in the picture but I just have a cheaper rate beuz I was in before they raised them) << That being said I would pay $35 a month for mine - no hesitation.

I've got mine tethered to my phone and it stays in pocket. I pull out my phone and touch the app, and literally in seconds I text right from my phone through the app, just like sending a regular text message. You can send the location with the text or just the text itself. I look at the map on my phone etc. The only time I actually touch my Garmin is to turn it on and off at the beginning and end of the day. I use mine year round, including on road trips when I can't get cell service so I just keep it active. The topo maps are pretty good IMO. As with any topo map, they lack the finite detail to truly make them 100% user friendly but that just goes with the territory.

For anyone concerned about the cost for a single trip or only couple times annually, I suggest looking around, as some places may rent these. I'm pretty sure Wicom in Calgary rents units (i know they rent sat phones). Also talk to GPS central. Another thing to consider is gathering your closest riding friends (typically folks generally ride with the same crowd) and split the cost amongst 3 or 4 people.

From someone who's been there, honestly they can truly be a life saver and I encourage anyone to use one. A medical emergency on the hill in our group while we were back in some very technical terrain required extraction. The ability to text the level of emergency and receive communication back about any rescue or assistance is amazingly important in a bad situation, especially for onsite folks to keep a level head and be psychologically re-assured help is on the way. Literally - minutes can save your life. I'm very fortunate my company requires me to have additional medical training at their cost, but consider even if you only had a knowledge of basic first aid, EMS or dispatch could also relay you critical advice if you didnt have the training or knowledge to do something (stabilize a fracture, dress a wound, monitor and report vital signs, look for signs of a stroke/anaphylactic reaction etc).

Honestly, I have also been considering an AED for a couple years, but they were too large to carry. Now that the Phillips FRx is small enough, I'm thinking its next on the list. I'll happily pay the minimal weight penalty if it saves someones life. I feel that strongly about it. Ride safe folks.

Is the AED ok to use in snowy conditions? I asked my first aid instructor about carrying an AED snowmobiling during my renewal class and she didn't think it would be a good idea. Lots of electricity in a wet environment.

 

[fnDan]

You will need the USB cable and download the update to your computer.
https://support-inreach.roadpost.ca/kb/articles/inreach-original-firmware-update

 

[mclean]

I always add the backcountry road maps to my Garmin devices. Way more detail for what we are doing.

Any more info on this? Just got my Explorer+ the other day and it's my first "GPS" like device and not sure where to find this

 

[Modman]

Is the AED ok to use in snowy conditions? I asked my first aid instructor about carrying an AED snowmobiling during my renewal class and she didn't think it would be a good idea. Lots of electricity in a wet environment.

Without risk of derailing this good thread...

The information I have reviewed over the years says although its not ideal, it can be conducted (there is lots of research to support this). Most AEDs are self - grounded and literature says you can use them even in metal boats, however the rescuer may feel a light tingle (I don't know if this means "light tingle" like how your teeth feel after 6 beer or "light" like if you hooked a tens machine on high to your balls).....you try it and let me know....

Abstract from a research paper by Tom Lyster, Dawn B Jorgenson and Carl Morgan:

There has been concern regarding potential shock hazards for rescuers or bystanders when a defibrillator is used in a wet environment and the recommended safety procedure, moving the patient to a dry area, is not followed.To measure the electrical potentials associated with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a realistically modeled wet environment.A raw processed turkey was used as a patient surrogate. The turkey was placed on a cement floor while pool water was applied to the surrounding area. To simulate a rescuer or bystander in the vicinity of a patient, a custom sense probe was constructed. Defibrillation shocks were delivered to the turkey and the probe was used to measure the voltage an operator/bystander would receive at different points surrounding the surrogate. The test was repeated with salt water.The maximum voltage occurred approximately 15 cm from the simulated patient and measured 14 V peak (current 14 mA peak) in the case of pool water, and 30 V peak (current 30 mA peak) in the case of salt water.Thirty volts may result in some minor sensation by the operator or bystander, but is considered unlikely to be hazardous under these circumstances. The maximum currents were lower than allowed by safety standards. Although defibrillation in a wet environment is not recommended practice, our simulation of a patient and a rescuer/bystander in a wet environment did not show significant risk should circumstances demand it.
​

I can't speak for anyone else and I would stand back for a margin of safety but I personally wouldn't be scared to try it.

From the ARC:

American Red Cross

• If it is raining, take steps to make sure that the person is as dry as
  possible and sheltered from the rain.
• Ensure that the person's chest is wiped dry.
• Do not delay defibrillation when taking steps to create a dry
  environment.
• AEDs are safe when all precautions and manufacturer's operating
  instructions are followed, even in rain and snow.
• Avoid getting the AED or defibrillation pads wet.

https://www.aedbrands.com/blog/2018/02/07/can-an-aed-be-used-in-the-rain-snow-or-swimming-pool/

For a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the quick use of an AED gives them the best chance of survival. But since AEDs provide an electrical current to restore the heart to a normal rhythm, you might wonder if AEDs can expose you to danger if used in a wet environment. Luckily, AEDs are safe to use if the victim is lying outside in the snow or rain. Ideally you want to move the victim to a dry environment, but if you cannot move the victim, simply dry the chest as thoroughly as possible prior to applying the pads. When it comes to swimming activities, you should do the following: If the person is in the water, remove them to a dry area and away from puddles of water​

• 
  [*=left]Remove any wet clothing and dry the victim’s chest
  [*=left]Have all bystanders move away from the wet surface and victim
  [*=left]Attach AED pads and follow the AED voice prompts

Through voice prompts, every AED cautions responders to stand clear of the patient. As long as the rescuer follows this prompt and does not touch the victim during defibrillation, they will be safe from harm.​

 

[skegpro]

Any more info on this? Just got my Explorer+ the other day and it's my first "GPS" like device and not sure where to find this

https://www.backroadmapbooks.com/gps-maps

 

[NoBrakes!]

https://www.backroadmapbooks.com/gps-maps

I have to agree, you might be Skoogle lol

 

[skegpro]

I have to agree, you might be Skoogle lol

Buy stock now.
Skoogle is going places.

 

[skegpro]

.......